From Ohio in the United States to Dundee in KwaZulu-Natal, ballet teacher Kristen Hiestermann has brought her passion for dance halfway across the world.

Three years after taking over Turn Out Ballet Studio, Kristen now teaches around 30 enthusiastic students at the One Life Church Hall in Gladstone Street.

Her journey to northern KwaZulu-Natal was far from ordinary. In 2013, after completing her ballet studies at Mercyhurst University, she met her future husband, South African Marlon Hiestermann, who was then studying Theology in the United States.

The couple married and moved to Germany in 2014, where Marlon was posted. Kristen recalled that, while the United States and South Africa share many similarities, Germany was a very different experience.

In 2018, Marlon accepted a call to the historic Salem Uelzen Lutheran Church, a move Kristen welcomed wholeheartedly.

“I was thrilled to take over Turn Out Ballet Studio and pursue my love of ballet while sharing it with young dancers,” she said.

Much-needed funds need to be raised

To raise funds for much-needed improvements to the studio, Kristen has launched an art competition with a ballet theme.

“The wooden floor of the building is old and not really suitable, so we’re hoping to renovate it soon,” she explained.

Details of the art competition are available on the Courier’s social media platforms.

Meanwhile, Kristen’s students are busy preparing for their upcoming concert, The Last Pearl, inspired by a Hans Christian Andersen fairy tale. Performance details will be published soon in the Courier.

For more information about Turn Out Ballet Studio, contact Kristen on 073 228 2526.

HAVE YOUR SAY: Like our Facebook page, follow us on Twitter and Instagram or email us at dundee.courier@caxton.co.za. Add us on WhatsApp 071 277 1394.